KM Leipzig
7 Sep '39
Moored at the repair facility in Wilhelmshaven for repair work after a battle with four Royal Navy Destroyers. On 3 Sep '39, Leipzig on station in the North Sea commenced anti commerce action off of the Northeastern coast of England. By 5 Sep. she had sunk 35,000 GRT of Merchant shipping and set course for home, low on ammunition. In the early morning of 6 Sep she was intercepted by a task force of four RN Destroyers. Despite being low on ammunition Leipzig fought off the attackers, sending all four to the bottom. She sustained heavy damage in the fight, and was not ready for duty until February 1940.
Photo courtesy Leutnant z.S Hans Jurgen, 1WO
KM Leipzig